LYS FREMTID I MØRKE

The sophomore release from these young Norwegians finds the band spanning quite a broad spectrum of sounds and styles--often more heavy and abrasive--as well as traipsing down familiar Canterbury-inspired paths of their debut album. I like this latter music much better than the former.

1. "Angst Oppå Bordet" (3:35) opening with an abrasively dissonant song like this is certainly a turn off. Luckily, I chose to proceed to the next song. (8.6667/10)

2. "Dalai Lama´s Five Dollar Mamas I" (3:51) (8.75/10)

3. "Karesuando Camping" (3:13) love NORTHETTES-like vocals from Katrina Lenore Sjøberg served over a gentle fare of ANTIQUE SEEKING NUNS-like music. (9.125/10)

4. "Planet Bygningsetaten" (4:53) Canterbury jazz-lite with excellent bass, Rhodes, and vocal performances from both Martin and Katrina. (9.125/10)

5. "Cloudboy Blidbop" (4:36) jazzy instrumental with a little retro-Indie-folk-pop thing going on. A nice song that takes a bit to get going (too long of an intro). (8.875/10)

6. "Ping Pong Lovesong" (bonus track only available on CD version) (1:28) 7. "Dalai Lama´s Five Dollar Mamas II" (5:14) okay Canterbury style quirky, jumpy jazz jam. (8.75/10)

8. "Ja Noir" (3:55) after a somewhat bombastic orchestral opening, the song devolves into a simple tow-person piece with reverbed electric guitar reacting to beautiful music being played by Ivar Haugaløkken Stangeby's Fender Rhodes. At the very end of the second minute Katrina's dreamy/airy voice enters and the band forms beneath her, congealing into a gorgeous little modern-day Canterbury tune à la bands like OIAPOK, INNER EAR BRIGADE, and GADADU. Beautiful singing from Katrina. Beautiful support from guitar, keys, and drums. (9/10)

9. "Slipp Ivar Fri" (5:04) more quirky, jumpy modern day Fender Rhodes-dominated Canterbury with Martin's lead vocal skirting HUMBLE GRUMBLE territory. Odd tom-tom solo in the middle. Some magical parts, some that completely miss the mark (for me). (8.875/10)

10. "Litt Mye" (1:38) family-playing-at-the-beach sounds with someone stroking some guitar chords and, eventually, a few voices joining in with a lyric and melody.

11. "Thank You Kleveland" (4:09) sounds a lot like Detroit's RASCAL REPORTERS--like a Canterbury étude: it just goes round and round with more instruments (orchestral) joining in with each time through. Nice cinematic journey with nice melodies throughout (created mostly by the lead guitar). (8.75/10)

Total time: 41:38

B/four stars; an excellent collection of original Canterbury-inspired (which I find myself calling "modern Canterbury") songs. Definitely a band to keep watching.